Several titles were on the line at NXT Heatwave. Who walked out with the gold and which champions dropped their belts? Here's a recap!
NXT Tag Team Championship:
The two members of DarkState who competed in tonight's match against Hank Walker and Tank Ledger—Dion Lennox and Osiris Griffin—managed to defeat The Belly Boys to win the NXT Tag Team Championship.
It has not been clarified yet whether or not this means all members of DarkState are champions by proxy of the "Freebird Rule", wherein multiple members of a faction share the title and can defend it. If so, Cutler James and Saquon Shugars would also be designated champions. However, WWE only does this sporadically like with The New Day and The Undisputed ERA, so until it is confirmed, it should be assumed only Lennox and Griffin are champions. This ends Hank and Tank's reign at 127 days.
TNA Knockouts World Championship:
Jacy Jayne lost the TNA Knockouts World Championship in her Triple Threat match against Ash by Elegance and Masha Slamovich when Ash by Elegance pinned Slamovich. This ends Jayne's reign as a double champion after just 36 days.
Other Championship Updates:
Chelsea Green and NXT North American Champion Ethan Page defeated Tyra Mae Steele and Tavion Heights in their mixed tag team match. A win for the babyfaces would have likely put Heights in contention for a North American title shot, but after Green pinned Steele, Heights will have to find a new way to earn that in the future (if that happens at all).
Lola Vice defeated Jaida Parker and Kelani Jordan in their No. 1 contender's Triple Threat match to earn a shot for the NXT Women's Championship against Jacy Jayne at the next premium live event, NXT No Mercy on September 27th.
Also announced for No Mercy is that Sol Ruca will defend the WWE Women's Speed Championship against the winner of a tournament that will start September 2nd, which will feature talent from Raw, SmackDown, NXT, TNA and AAA.
Oba Femi retained the NXT Championship over Je'Von Evans, though a near-fall confusion with a second referee nearly led to a title change. After the match, Ricky Saints came out to talk some trash with Femi, as he wants to be next in line, even though Josh Briggs is also eyeing the title.
Personal Reactions & What Happens Next?:
To be honest, I don't know where they're going with some of these titles and how they're booking some people in NXT. I'm not a fan of DarkState, so while I wasn't in love with Hank and Tank having the titles, I think this is a lateral move instead of an upgrade. Lola Vice is going to likely lose to Jacy Jayne, but it's weird that they made her a double champion just to have her drop the TNA title after just a little over a month. Ricky Saints beating Oba Femi could potentially work, but I don't understand the need to have Je'Von Evans continue to lose matches like this. Then again, this is the same brand that has an obsession with not letting Jordynne Grace win anything, either. As far as the TNA Knockouts title is concerned, Ash by Elegance should at least hold it for a little while, but I wouldn't be shocked if she lost it to Indi Hartwell at Bound for Glory.
Tell us what you think about this title change by leaving a comment below! Who do you think will be the next in line to challenge for the title, or possibly even win the belt next? Keep the discussion going!